Camping the Keppel Islands — My Honest Take

Queensland's Most Underrated Island Group and How to Pick the Right One for You

The Keppel Islands sit just off the Capricorn Coast near Yeppoon, and between them they offer just about every kind of island camping experience you could want from a whole island entirely to yourself to something with a bit more comfort if that's your style.

Camping on Conical Island, Keppel Islands

Conical Island, Keppel Group

If you've ever wanted an entire island to yourself, this is your best shot. There's only one

campsite, it costs less than $10 a person per night, and on a quiet week you will genuinely have the whole place to yourself. It's small, it's remote, and it is absolutely beautiful.

The western side of the island faces back toward Yeppoon with a white sand beach and clear blue water that's perfect for a swim. Work your way north around the island and you hit a reef patch that's excellent for diving and spearfishing (but always check your zones, as some are green or have restrictions). We have caught mackerel, cod and squid all around Conical Island, and more slatey bream than you can imagine (and while slatey Bream exactly fine dining, you won't go hungry).

Around the inner southern and ocean side there are rocky outcrops where squid fishing off the rocks is surprisingly good.

One practical note, if there's been rain recently, the mozzies can be relentless. Bring protection and don't say you weren't warned.

Best for: People who want total solitude, have a boat, and seeking a proper isolated adventure. Not for the unprepared.

Camping on North Keppel Island, Keppel Islands

North Keppel is the bigger, more spacious option for those who want room to move. Camping is set back off the beach with multiple sites available.

Being larger means more to explore, there are hikes across the island and you can work your way over to the other side which is a great way to break up days between swimming and fishing, and keeps kids entertained.

There are some basic facilities here including an eco toilet (long-drop) and a rain water tap, however its always best to bring your own water in case it hasn't rained in a while. There are also some snorkelling spots worth exploring around North Keppel.

Spearfishing zones around North Keppel are restricted so check current rules before you plan around it. For deeper fishing or spearfishing you'll want to head out by boat.

Personally I find it feels a little limiting compared to some of the other islands and it can get busier than I like, but if you're coming with a big group or with kids who need variety and space it works really well.

Best for: Families, larger groups looking to camp, and those who want a bit more island to explore.

Camping on Great Keppel Island, Keppel Islands

Great Keppel Island

I haven't camped on Great Keppel myself but it earns its spot on this list because it's the

only island here you can get to without a boat. There's a ferry from Yeppoon (Rosslyn Harbour) at around $60 per adult return, which makes it by far the most accessible of the group. If you're testing island camping for the first time, or your crew includes people who aren't ready to go fully remote, this is a genuinely good starting point.

Camping is around $10–$20 a night for a designated site, and there are also Airbnb options on the island if someone in the group isn't into the full camping experience.

What Great Keppel has that the others don't is variety, beautiful white sand beaches, great snorkelling off the rocky ridges, fishing, and a cafe and bar at Fishermans Beach so you're not completely cut off. A group with mixed interests and mixed comfort levels can all find something here. If you're heading out with family, non-campers, or anyone who wants a bit of ease alongside the adventure, this is probably your pick.

If we are out on the islands for a week, we always make a point of a day trip to Great Keppel. And if your a keen spearo, there are some great spots around the Eastern Side.

Best for: Families looking to camp , mixed groups, and anyone without a boat who still wants a proper island experience.

Camping on Humpy Island, Keppel Islands

Humpy Island, Keppel Group

Humpy is my favourite of the lot and the one we keep coming back to. Camping spots look out over the bay on the western side; sheltered, calm, and genuinely beautiful in most conditions. The bay is perfect for kids swimming and the outlook across to the mainland is hard to beat.

For fishing and spearfishing head around to the southern rocky ridges , my partner speared a very healthy coral trout there once. The eastern side of the island also has some excellent spearfishing and fishing spots along the rocky points, well worth exploring if you've got a boat. (Always check your zoning as a number of areas are restricted).

If you have a boat you can also use Humpy as a base to explore the wider region; Conical, Miall Island, Barren Island, and on a good weather day even a run out to North West Island is on the table. Worth a troll past Man and Wife Rocks on the way.

A tinny or jetski from Rosslyn Harbour gets you here in about 30 -45 minutes on a good day.

Best for: The best all-rounder of the group. Fishing, spearfishing, swimming, island exploring, it does everything well.

Camping on Miall Island, Keppel Islands

Miall is one for the experience seekers. Small, isolated, a single campsite; you bring everything and you embrace the simplicity of it. There's decent snorkelling and diving to be found, with coral plates worth exploring if crayfish is your thing. It's the kind of trip that makes for good content and better stories.

Worth knowing: Miall can get a little exposed in the wrong conditions, it's not the most sheltered spot in the group so keep an eye on the weather before you commit. That said, it sits in a great position close to the rest of the island group, which makes it a solid hub if you want to explore around by boat. Go in prepared, pick the right conditions, and it's a genuinely special little spot.

Best for: Experienced single or couple campers looking for a little adventure.

The best practical notes and tips for camping on all Keppel Islands

Getting there: With the exception of Great Keppel (ferry from Yeppoon ), you need your own boat. Rosslyn Harbour near Yeppoon is your launching point for most of these.

Water: There is no fresh water on any of the smaller islands. Bring more than you think you need.

Bookings: All national park camping in Queensland is booked through the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service website. Sites fill up fast for school holidays and long weekends so book early.

Zoning: Green zones and regulated areas apply across the Keppels. Check the current Queensland fisheries and marine park zoning maps before you fish, dive, or spearfish anywhere in this group. Rules change and ignorance isn't an excuse out on the water.

Campfires: No camp fires on any of these islands, make surey ou bring your own gas or liquid fuelled stove for cooking.

The Keppels are genuinely one of Queensland's best kept secrets. Once you've done Great Keppel, keep going the rest of the group is where it really gets good.